Image of Bridge Street bike lane running down the centre of the road.

Residents all over Port Phillip have expressed outrage over the poorly designed and dangerous pop-up bike lanes. Vic Roads and Port Phillip Council need to bear responsibility for failed $13 million project, with poorly designed bike lanes, speed humps in front of existing speed humps or the bollards in the middle of the road causing chaos. The Bridge Street bike path in Port Melbourne is particularly dangerous where the bike lanes on the left and right sides of the road cross automobile traffic lanes to the bike lanes running up the centre of Bridge Street. Facebook followers will be aware of hundreds of comments such as these:

“I just watched a young man try and negotiate the section where the lane crosses into the middle. Trying hard to do the right thing he still almost got a car up his rear and then got stuck trying to cross back over when no cars would let him merge”. Paul – Port Melbourne Focus

“I've just driven up Bridge St from Ross St to Bay St. It's like an April Fool's joke.  And now you're not supposed to turn left into Bay to drive city bound? Truly bizarre. I turned left anyway to head to the Town Hall” Justine – Port Melbourne Focus

“The sheer idiocy of VicRoads and Council with the installation of the so-called pop-up bike lanes beggars belief. Not only allowing the project to proceed but allowing them to remain. A complete and utter disregard for public safety. Interesting question on the individual culpability of those who allowed this dangerous situation to occur and then continue if there is an injury or death”. Bryce – Port Melbourne Focus

Vic Roads and Port Phillip Council need to improve its consultative processes. Residents say they were blindsided by the new bike lanes and have asked why they were not consulted about the bike lanes. VicRoads are completing up to 40kms of pop-up bike routes in the City of Port Phillip with minimal community engagement. Vic Roads posted notices in the affected streets and put postcards in letterboxes, like the one displayed below. The postcard displayed a QR code that highlighted affected streets, but detailed designs were not displayed. Vic Roads also directed residents to “Have your say” on the proposed pop-up bike lanes, click here The website is difficult to use and many people gave up responding to the survey. 

A majority of Councillors voted to endorse the Vic Roads $13 million pop-up bike lanes identified in the map below in the City of Port Phillip on 1st September 2021.  The motion gave authority to Council Officers to process any permits and approvals necessary for the installation and maintenance of the ‘pop-up’ bike lane infrastructure on Council owned roads. 

The pop-up bike lanes are being trialled for the next 12 to 18 months. Your feedback is important for whether this becomes permanent or not. Scan the QR code to provide feedback.